EMERSON LAKE & PALMER

Forty-four years after I first bought this album, I am still in love with it. In fact, with all my experience of the subsequent history of Prog Rock, the ELP debut sounds more captivating than ever. It's a moment of magical genius, when the three musicians first worked together - and the chemistry was unbelievable. I can't name another album that sounds even remotely like this one, not even from ELP. There are moments, such as the title track of 'Trilogy', or 'Toccata' from BSS, when it seems they are trying to recapture the sound of their debut album. But there is a uniqueness and coherence about the 'Emerson Lake & Palmer' album that has always set it apart. I think it's the inspired improvisation on acoustic instruments combined with a heavy yet measured use of the electric instruments. Even the much-questioned 'Lucky Man' sounds perfectly in place with its acoustic strings and Moog accompaniment.

And you should have seen 'Knife Edge' on stage in this period! Emerson vaulting over the Hammond and pulling it over... madness.

Verdict: a pinnacle in Prog Rock history.